metimes to his fear of offending his uncle. An
occurrence, however, which happened soon after, put it beyond a doubt
that he designed to become one of our family; my wife even regarded it
as an absolute promise.

2. My wife and daughters happening to return a visit at neighbour
Flamborough's, found that family had lately got their pictures drawn
by a limner, who travelled the country, and took likenesses for
fifteen shillings a head. As this family and ours had long a sort of
rivalry in point of taste, our spirit took the alarm at this stolen
march upon us; and notwithstanding all I could say, and I said much,
it was resolved that we should have our pictures done too. Having,
therefore, engaged the limner--for what could I do?--our next
deliberation was to shew the superiority of our taste in the
attitudes. As for our neighbour's family, there were seven of them,
and they were drawn with seven oranges--a thing quite out of taste, no
variety in life, no composition in the world. We desired to have
something in a brighter style; and after many debates, at length came
to an unanimous resolution of being drawn together, in one large
historical family piece. This would be cheaper, since one frame would
serve for all, and it would be infinitely more genteel; for all
families of any taste were now drawn in the same manner. As we did not
immediately recollect an historical subject to hit us, we were
contented each with being drawn as independent historical figures. My
wife desired to be represented as Venus, and the painter was desired
not to be too frugal of his diamonds in her stomacher and hair. Her
two little ones were to be as Cupids by her side; while I, in my gown
and band, was to present her with my books on the Whistonian
controversy. Olivia would be drawn as an Amazon, sitting upon a bank
of flowers, dressed in a green joseph richly laced with gold, and a
whip in her hand. Sophia was to be a shepherdess, with as many sheep
as the painter could put in for nothing; and Moses was to be dressed
out with an hat and white feather. Our taste so much pleased the
Squire that he insisted on being put in as one of the family, in the
character of Alexander the Great, at Olivia's feet. This was
considered by us all as an indication of his desire to be introduced
into the family, nor could we refuse his request. The painter was
therefore set to work, and as he wrought with assiduity and
expedition, in less than four days the whole